KillerBren's 2006 22VE Ballast Install

[killerbren]

u are safe with .75 penetration.

In my experience .75 is more than enough I say!

[killerbren]

Okay so last night we siliconed in the bottom thru hulls, so tonight I can install the pumps in their final configurations. I also cut most of the holes through the partitions to run hose, installed the transfer pump, and got the ground and power cables to the switch location. I will post pics in a bit. Tonight I want to move that amp, run all the hoses, and finish the wiring.

A few questions before I run the hose. I would email Mike but honestly I've been hounding him for the last three days, the guy needs a night off lol.

Mike tells me that I don't need to cross drain/vent the rear sacs. Basically you just put a high loop in the drain line and run the drain hose up high under the deck before connecting it at your thru hull. I get that, I can see how that would stop passive draining out of the bag. I was thinking there would be a benefit to crossing the vent to the other side however. What i'm thinking is that if the vent was on the same side, once the bag is full and the boat is listed over, the thru hull is going to be pretty close if not at the water line which would minimize that splashing indicator that the sac is full. If the vent was cross vented to the other side, you would definitely know when it is full. At this point in time there is no plan for a one way valve between the drain pump and where the vent enters the drain. Should I be worried about water flowing from the vent back into the empty bag via the drain pump? Or am I overthinking this since the only time that vent is going to have water is when the bag is full (and then we kill the pumps anyways).

[killerbren]

Pictures....

Here is the thru hulls siliconed in. I left it for 24 hours and then started putting in the pumps.


I brought the breaker box down and installed the 2 breakers and ran the power wires to the switch location. I then put it back up out of the way.



Switches are going to sit in the panel in front of the throttle. I needed room for the wiring so I needed to cut out some fiberglass.



Started cutting holes in the partitions and running some hose. This is the Port rear, hose on the left is from the transfer pump.


Starboard side, holes cut, transfer pump installed.


Starting to run and install fill lines. 2 lines to the rear sacs done except for bag fittings.


Need to run the bow fill line. This one I was a little nervous for as the hole is drilled (somewhat) blind. I could look up between the floor and the fuel tank but it was hard to see. In the end I was right at the very end of the compartment the fuel tank sits in. If I were to do it again I would drill about an inch closer to that vent.


Used a plumbing snake to fish the hose along the top of the fuel tank to the starboard locker. Once I got it to the hole it took some coaxing but eventually got it in there.


All fill hoses installed. Just need to wire them, secure the hoses, and protect any rub points.

[killerbren]

At this point I need to install the drain/vent lines, secure drain pumps, run wiring to the switch location and wire the switches.

Still wondering if there would be any issues if I crossed the vents to the opposite side. If I don't cross them I won't have to worry about the vent lines passively filling an empty bag but I also don't know if the thru hull would be high enough above the water line to notice the water spilling out (the cue to stop the pump). If I do cross the vents there is a chance that the water will run into the opposite empty bag via the empty bag's drain line.

Mike says I don't need to cross the drains and vents, he seems to know a thing or two about ballast systems , am I overthinking this? right now i'm leaning on not crossing the vents to keep it simple.

Hopefully more tomorrow...

[Jetdriver]

I'm not gonna cross mine, like you mentioned before a high loop is all that is needed. I'm running the reversible Johnson ultra pumps though so my setup is a little different than yours. I'm planning on keeping an eye on the system when filling and draining, especially at first. Last thing I want to do is burn up a brand new pump because I wasn't paying attention. After I know about how long it takes to fill/drain the appropriate bags I'm sure I wont be as concerned. Your build is coming along nicely!

[dukesofhazzard]

I crossed mine, i thought it was good insurance, easy to do, I believe if you are listing it is still a good idea, I too just mounted my rev pump for transferring, now just need the next bag and have to run one more vent line. Looks great.

[WYTige?]

I didn't cross vent mine as per Mike's recommendation. I did add a check valve right next to the vent and that seems to work pretty well. I do get some drainage, but if someone falls, I just kick the pump on for a minute and it fills right back up. Saved on hose cost to. On another note, well done on the install, it looks great. Are you getting tired of climbing in and out of the rear lockers yet??

[killerbren]

Are you getting tired of climbing in and out of the rear lockers yet??

Yes and no. The rear lockers arn't too bad to squeeze into, its that stupid midship locker where the amps are that I HATE! Its just a little bit too big to work on stuff from outside the locker, but when you get in there its a little bit too small to be comfortable.

On that note, today I moved the amp for my sub into a better location. I also drilled a hole for the drain for the bow sac, and started running wires to the switch location. This project is taking longer than expected, but i'm also taking my time and probably wasting a lot of time over thinking things as well . Oh well, i'm learning lots about my boat!


Before:



After:

[chpthril]

If you put the sac vent on the forward most sac fitting, route the hose forward to the front of the locker, turn out toward the gunwale, then aft to T into the drain line, you should not have passive draining through the vent, especially with a check-valve in line. Next, the with the thru-hull 90 installed in the 10-2 position and the drain line making a loop up to the underside of the deck before turning down to the outlet. The vent T should intersect prior to the drain line reaches its highest point and turns down.

[killerbren]

Well happy fathers day everyone. I'm not a father yet, so for me its "happy not a fathers day".

Worked on the boat the last few days. I'm almost done, I can see the light. I really love it when I fold myself into a locker and realize that I've forgotten one single tool or part that I need and have to get out, then back in again.

In the end I decided to cross the drain lines and vents. It only costed me an extra $15 in hose and I just was more comfortable with it that way.

The plumbing is pretty much done. Everything is hooked up except for some of the bag fittings which are currently in the mail. At this point in time I just need to secure the rear drain pumps and do the electrical.

Rear starboard locker, pumps installed and hooked up, just need to secure the pump and put on the bag fittings.



Bow starboard side, completed just waiting for the bag.


Bag is in.



Bow port drain installed.


Bow starboard drain installed.

[WYTige?]

Very clean install!! Now get out there and enjoy all the hard work!

[Jetdriver]

Nice man! Coming together!

[killerbren]

I'm so close I can taste it!

Port side plumbing done. I had to clean up some of the cables and move a battery partition over so I had room for the pump.


The plumbing part is now done! except for some quick connect fittings, but those should be a piece of cake. Next up I ran all the wiring for the pumps, hooked them up, and zip tied all the wires away so I didnt have to do it later.

All the wires labeled and at the switch location.


Cleaned up and terminals on.


Switches placed in the panel.


Everything hooked up.


They work! went and tested to make sure all the pumps are running when they are supposed to.


Captain chair went back in, electrical all finished and cleaned up.


All I have left to do is put 7 bag fittings on and this project is done. I'm actually quite surprised at how long it has taken, im not sure if im slow or what but it seems like i've been in the boat for a week straight.

[JohnnieMo]

Nice work! I hear you on the lockers. My son decided to trap me in the observer sear locker one day. That was fun.

Now get that thing ready for this weekend!!

Sent from my BlackBerry Priv

[killerbren]

Nice work! I hear you on the lockers. My son decided to trap me in the observer sear locker one day. That was fun.

Now get that thing ready for this weekend!!

Sent from my BlackBerry Priv

Yup! should be ready to go. Just got to wait for a part to come for my FAE tomorrow and she's ready to go in the water.

I wanted to wax it this week, but don't know if i'll have enough time.